For many of us, motoring off to a cabin in the woods or camping along a wooded lakeshore isn't on our weekend itinerary. But we can duplicate cabin-style recreation and rituals without venturing outside the Twin Cities area.
There are strawberries to pick, Jet Skis or canoes to rent, portable fire pits to build a citified campfire. All that's missing is the wail of a loon.
Here is a crop of cabin-type activities to do in the metropolitan area.
Beach volleyball
Bump, set, spike! For hard-hitting volleyball action, head to the Taste of Minnesota for the Bud Light Women's Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament. Former U.S. Olympians Kim Oden, Liane Sato and Janet Cobbs (a Concordia Academy graduate) will be among the stars battling the wind, sun and clouds in addition to their opponents. The tourney begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
If you would rather play than watch the sport that makes its Olympic debut this year, try these spots: - Thomas Beach: Show up at the southwest corner of Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, any time after noon on most days, and you'll find doubles and triples action on at least one of the three courts. Come solo or bring a partner. Bring your patience, too. If it's crowded, which is most of the time, you'll have to win to stay on the court. If you lose, you may have a long wait. - Central Park: With its four courts and view of Lake Bennett, this Roseville park is one of the more picturesque places to play. Nearby shade - an important commodity for outdoor volleyball players - and entertainment make this a popular place to serve. At Lexington Av. N. and County Rd. C.
Boat rentals
In Minnesota, where the number of boats per capita is the highest in the nation, it's only fitting that a summer outing include a boating excursion. A number of parks rent sailboats, rowboats, paddle boats and canoes. Several marinas rent speedboats, Jet Skis and pontoons. Here's a sampler; call for fees. For a complete list, check the Yellow Pages under 'boat rental and leasing.' - Stillwater Charters and Excursions - Rent a runabout with water-skiing equipment or bring your own and ski at Highline Beach on the St. Croix River. Also cruisers, pontoons and wave runners, two blocks north of the bridge in Stillwater. 439-5658. - Excel Boat Club - Speedboats, pontoon boats, Jet Skis, 141 Minnetonka Blvd., Excelsior. 470-5088. - Bobbers Boat - Fishing boats with and without motors and pontoon boats, 4444 N. 129th St., Hugo. 426-0365. - Bay Rentals - Jet skis, 70 Pleasant Av., Tonka Bay. 474-0366. - Beanie's at Maui's Landing - Sea-Doo, pontoon boats and fishing boats with or without motor, 16777 N. 7th St., Lakeland. 436-8874. - Hennepin County parks - Canoes, rowboats and paddle boats are rented at the following parks on a first-come, first-served basis and include life preservers and necessary equipment: Baker Park Reserve, Medina; Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie; Cleary Lake Regional Park, Prior Lake (paddle boats and canoes only); Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove; French Regional Park, Plymouth; Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington, and Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Rockford. Rowboats and canoes cost $2 for 30 minutes or $20 a day; paddle boats cost $3 for 30 minutes for a two-seat boat, $5 for a four-seater. Hours vary by park. Call 559-9000 weekdays. - St. Paul parks: At Como Park, canoes and paddle boats rent on weekdays for $5 for the first hour, $3 for each additional hour. Weekend rates are $6 for first hour, $4 for additional hours. Fee includes life jackets and equipment. Rental is on a first-come, first-served basis. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 1360 N. Lexington Pkwy., St. Paul. 489-9311.
At Phalen Park, canoes and row boats cost $5 for the first hour, $3 for each additional hour. Paddle boats are $5 for the first hour on weekdays, $3 for each additional hour; on weekends, they cost $6 for the first hour, $4 for additional hours. Sailboats rent for $14 per hour and $7 for each additional hour. Fee includes life jackets and equipment. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. 1530 Phalen Dr., St. Paul. 771-7507.
Strawberry picking
Early-morning excursions at the cabin often produce berry-filled pancakes for breakfast. Here are some Twin Cities orchards with loads of strawberries ripe for the picking this weekend.
Orchards provide containers. Expect to bend down or kneel, so dress appropriately. You can break for a picnic lunch at nearby outdoor tables. Call ahead for hours, weather and crop conditions. Other orchards are listed in the Yellow Pages. - Pine Tree Apple Orchard: 450 Apple Orchard Rd., White Bear Lake. 8 a.m.-noon (call to check hours). 89 cents per pound. 429-8026. - Afton Apple Orchard: 14421 S. 90th St., Denmark. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., weather permitting. 85 cents a pound. 436-8385. - Eden Apple Orchard: County Rd. 1 and Dell Rd., Eden Prairie. 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; weather permitting. $1 a pound. 934-7873.
City campfires
It's a no-no to build a campfire in your yard in some cities and suburbs. Instead, roll in a safe, portable fire pit to gather 'round for stories and songs or to stare into the flickering flames.
Portable fire pits such as one made by Whalen ($99 at Menards) are sold at area hardware stores. It's made of steel with a protective metal screen and holds a wood-stoked fire. Some cities require a fire permit, which is free, to use a portable fire pit. (Minneapolis does not require a permit for fires contained in a 3-foot area.) Call your city fire department or the Bureau of Fire Prevention at 228-6230 for more information.
Bird-watching
You could spy an American redstart or black-capped chickadee on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's half-mile, self-guided birdwatching trail that winds through marshes and woods.
Stop at the visitors center to check out the songbird trail pack, which includes binoculars, bird book and tape recording describing 10 birds you might encounter on the trail. 3815 E. 80th St., Bloomington. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 335-2323.
Another good spot is Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. It will hold an early bird hike from 8-10 a.m. Sunday. Bring binoculars. And from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, you can hunt for common Minnesota birds using mounts and an identification packet (the pack costs 50 cents). 9750 Egret Blvd., Coon Rapids. 424-8172.
Catch a wave
At the gigantic Bunker Hills Wave Pool in Blaine, huge air-generators churn more than 400,000 gallons of water to make waves for body surfing, free swimming or bobbing around on an inner tube. Tubes are $2 for two hours. Pool admission is $5 for people 13 and older, $4 for children 12 and under. Bunker Hills Regional Park, Hwy. 242 and Foley Blvd., Blaine. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. 767-2895.
Urban walks
Stop by SuperAmerica at 925 Grand Av., St. Paul, and ask for the Twin Cities Volksmarchers box. Inside you'll find directions on a self-guided 6.2-mile Capitol walk or a historic Summit Av. walk. It describes historic sites, the St. Paul Cathedral and other St. Paul landmarks along the trail. Call Doug Wood, 929-4891.
